Neil Diamond’s concert on Thursday (July 31) will launch a year-long celebration of The Palace of Auburn Hill’s 20th anniversary — which is fitting because, with 16 sellouts and some 312,000 tickets sold, the pop icon is the top draw of the arena’s first two decades.

Diamond is slated to receive a banner commemorating that achievement, and portions of the show will be included in a two-hour Palace anniversary special airing at 9 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 2) on WDIVTV, Channel 4 in Detroit. The TV special, “20 Years of Memories: A Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of The Palace of Auburn Hills,” will also include footage of sports and entertainment highlights from the Palace’s first 20 years plus interviews with principle Palace owner William Davidson, Palace Sports & Entertainment CEO and President Tom Wilson and a variety of entertainers and athletes.

The Palace also plans to celebrate throughout the year by marking special occasions — such as the 20th anniversary of the Detroit Pistons’ first NBA championship.

The arena’s concourse is also undergoing a $3 million renovation that will include new signage, colors and graphics. Super-size photos of sports and entertainment highlights will decorate the area, and concession stands also are slated for a makeover. The job will be completed by early October, in time for the Pistons’ exhibition season, but a portion near the Palace’s west entrance will be done for Diamond’s concert on Thursday.